Drug Compendia
Correcting Compendia for Better Differentiation of Products
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A brand manufacturer’s newer product version was being mistaken for a similar but not as easy-to-use precursor product, due to a lack of differentiation in the product’s name in the drug compendia. This caused prescribers to erroneously select the similar precursor product in the electronic health record when intending to select the client’s newer product. Not only was this disadvantageous to the client, but, most importantly, it was disadvantageous to patients who may have been educated on the client’s newer product only to be given a different and more difficult-to-use product. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSL reviewed the listings of the two products in the drug compendia to understand why prescribers were selecting the incorrect product when attempting to prescribe the client’s newer product in the electronic health record. PHSL identified the issue regarding the product’s name in certain drug databases. At the client’s direction, PHSL then composed a letter to the affected drug compendia requesting a more accurate listing of the product’s name to better differentiate the precursor and newer products and alleviate any confusion at the point of prescribing. |
| Results | The request for a change in the product’s name to more precisely reflect both the precursor and newer products was accepted. This helps to facilitate accurate prescriber selection in the electronic health record, which will result in patients receiving the correct medication. |
Therapeutic Classification in Drug Compendia at Product Launch
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A brand pharmaceutical manufacturer had a forthcoming product with the same general mechanism of action as current on-market agents. However, the product differed in its indication and expected usage. The client was seeking assistance in differentiating their product from competitors within the drug pricing compendia, in the hopes of being favorably viewed by payers. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSL reviewed the draft Prescribing Information of the manufacturer’s forthcoming product. PHSL then analyzed and identified current therapeutic classifications available in the leading drug pricing compendia databases and worked with the manufacturer to proactively request a unique categorization for the drug. |
| Results | The manufacturer was able to gain a unique Enhanced Therapeutic Classification (ETC) category in FDB, differentiating them from their competitors. |
Drug Compendia Assistance for OTC Products
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | The manufacturer of several over the counter (OTC) compounding vehicle agents requested assistance in understanding how their products were being grouped with competitor products. Based on the product groupings, the manufacturer was experiencing issues with product substitution at the wholesaler level, thus resulting in a loss in sales. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSL reviewed the product listings in the leading drug pricing compendia to understand how product attributes of the client’s product and competitor products were impacting ordering through wholesalers. PHSL discussed strategies and worked with the client to finalize an approach to use with the drug compendia providers. PHSL worked with the client to draft and submit drug compendia change forms to request attribute changes for the affected products. |
| Results | A compendia change request was successful, and the client’s product was able to be reclassified in First Databank, resulting in a change in the GCN, thus helping to mitigate substitution concerns at the wholesaler level. |
Listing a BLA-Approved Product Competing with Devices in Drug Compendia
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A brand pharmaceutical manufacturer was launching a new product approved through a BLA that would compete with similar products that are approved as devices. The manufacturer sought to better understand how these competitor products were categorized and optimize how their BLA-approved product would be listed in the pricing and clinical compendia. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSL examined competitor devices in four different drug compendia. Analysis focused on areas that may differentiate a BLA-approved product from a device. PHSL drafted compendia submission forms to ensure proper and complete documentation related to product naming, description, and pricing was communicated with each drug compendia. |
| Results | PHSL recommended communications to drug compendia that ensured the manufacturer’s product was appropriately listed and well-positioned in relation to its device competitors. |
Post-Merger Product Review in Drug Compendia
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | Two pharmaceutical manufacturers who recently merged sought a review of their products in the drug compendia following their merger to ensure no inconsistencies existed in the compendia. |
| PHSL Solution | Using their expertise in the compendia, PHSI performed an independent review and examined four different drug compendia for any inconsistencies with the client’s products regarding packaging, pricing, and the active status of the products. |
| Results | By reviewing the compendia, PHSI was able to provide insight into selected products with discrepancies and recommended communications and corrections to the various drug compendia. For the remaining products, the client was assured that there were no identifiable differences between the drug product label and the compendia listing. This enabled the client to prevent any issues with prescribing, product selection, and reimbursement for their drug products. |
Assistance Listing Devices in the Drug Compendia
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A device manufacturer was launching an updated and enhanced version of their diabetes device. The new product was scheduled to have a different name, but the device manufacturer wanted to ensure that the different versions were distinguishable to prescribers in their e-prescribing systems. The device manufacturer was also seeking information on how their product would appear when compared to competitors. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSI reviewed the 510(k) approval letter, device user guide, and analogue device listings within the major drug compendia providers. Using the information gathered, PHSI hypothesized which products would share the same category with the newly-launched device. PHSI then drafted compendia submission forms for the device manufacturer and guided them through the compendia submission process. |
| Results | The device manufacturer’s product was successfully listed in all of the drug compendia. It was listed with unique naming that differentiated it from previous versions of the device, aiding in accurate prescribing and dispensing. |
Monitoring Drug Compendia Listings of Competition
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A generic pharmaceutical manufacturer required additional insights on products in their pipeline. The focus was their competitor listings in the drug compendia to understand market changes so they could continually update financial projections and determine profitable product launches. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSI created alerts in the drug compendia for the select products to provide monitoring of new launches, labeler changes, and NDC inactivations. Alerts are reviewed daily and an assessment of the impact of the changes is sent to the manufacturer. |
| Results | The pharmaceutical manufacturer used these to refine their product launch decisions and determine viable drug products to commercialize. |
Manufacturer Sought Insight on Inner-Pack NDC Compendia Listing
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A brand pharmaceutical manufacturer faced lost sales with both prescribers and pharmacies based upon their inner-pack and outer-pack national drug code (NDC) product listing in drug compendia. The client desired to identify and align classifications of their product listing in the drug compendia to resolve issues on various EHR and pharmacy dispensing software systems impacting the prescribing, distribution, and dispensing process. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSI analyzed the drug compendia NDC package file definitions for inner-pack and outer-pack NDCs. PHSI prepared actionable next steps for the manufacturer at both the wholesaler and pharmacy level to clarify the client’s product listing. PHSI prepared a concise summary clarifying the use of outer-pack NDCs for ordering and dispensing as well as the purpose for the inner-pack NDC for patient safety. PHSI provided actionable recommendations for drug compendia modifications and clarification steps to communicate with suppliers, EHR system companies, and community pharmacies to ensure proper prescribing and dispensing of their product. |
| Results | PHSI insight addressed the problems the client faced and removed potential barriers to improve efficiency in product prescribing and distribution process. The client understood NDC package drug characteristics and impact on different channel stakeholders from the product’s listing in drug compendia. The manufacturer implemented PHSI’s recommendations at the pharmacy level, and the dispensing issues previously seen at pharmacies were greatly reduced. |
Drug Compendia Product Submission
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A brand pharmaceutical manufacturer with a new product lacked experience working with drug compendia and desired to have their drug listed properly before launch. The client had drug compendia challenges with previous launches and wanted to minimize issues with their new product. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSI prepared and led an onsite training program for the brand team and management from several operational areas including finance, regulatory, and sales. The training provided foundational knowledge about the role and importance of drug compendia, as they are used by prescribers with EMR systems, pharmacies for product selection, and payers for claims adjudication. PHSI assisted the client with drug compendia form completion and submission to Medi-Span, First Databank, Gold Standard, Cerner Multum, and Red Book. Finally, PHSI monitored these compendia publications to ensure there were no inconsistencies with how the new product was listed in the various compendia. |
| Results | Client was better prepared to launch their new product and lowered their risk of drug compendia issues impacting prescribing and distribution. They integrated the compendia activities into their product launch plans and factored in the time for the new drug information to reach pharmacies, payers, and especially EHR systems. This ensured the product was available to e-prescribe almost immediately post product launch. The compendia process has become a best practice and will be included in launch planning for all new future products. |
Understanding EHR Systems and Drug Compendia Databases
| Industry | Drug Compendia |
| Problem | A pharmaceutical manufacturer contacted PHSI to gain a better understanding of electronic health records (EHRs), the compendia that EHR vendors use for drug product information, and typical ePrescribing habits. The manufacturer wanted to make sure that ePrescribing physicians and dispensing pharmacists could clearly identify their drug products to ensure safe and accurate prescriptions for patients. |
| PHSL Solution | PHSI partnered with Think Patients LLC to develop a unique training program for the client’s internal use. This partnership allowed the client to obtain insightful information regarding the most utilized EHRs and the impact of drug compendia in EHRs, pharmacy dispensing systems, and ePrescribing modules. The program focused on how products are listed in various databases and common physician practices such as computerized physician order entries. |
| Results | By utilizing the training program, which included visual mock-ups of electronic health records, the client was better able to build relationships with prescribers and address potential barriers for prescribing their product. By identifying key drug characteristics to address during product launch such as indication, dosage form, or packaging, the client was able to understand potential areas of differentiation in the different drug compendia and learned how physicians make decisions during the prescribing process. The knowledge gained on the role of naming structure and product identification will allow the client to effectively launch new products and optimize their use among prescribers. |
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